Democratizing Academic Entrepreneurship: An Interpretive Insight

When the global pandemic disrupted conventional academic support systems worldwide, The Third Degree (TTD), an innovative Malaysian academic entrepreneurial service provider, emerged with a novel solution. To understand TTD’s innovative strategies, this case study examines the transition by establishing a borderless research ecosystem that now encompasses Asia, Africa and Europe. To aim at unearthing the lived experiences of stakeholders, the study is grounded on an interpretive approach with subjectivist epistemology and relativist ontology. Using the Gioia methodology, TTD’s notable trajectory is investigated through semistructured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with sixteen participants. The unanticipated findings of this research reveal six interconnected dimensions that not only characterize TTD’s innovative transition but challenge prevailing assumptions about academic entrepreneurship in emerging economies. The findings led to the proposal of a novel model, the Academic Entrepreneurship Amalgam Model for Emerging Economies, revealing surprising mechanisms for knowledge transfer and knowledge creation. Notably, it elucidates how digital platforms and virtual communities can effectively bridge geographical and institutional barriers that have historically impeded academic entrepreneurship in developing countries. With over 4,200 students engaged, 126 webinars conducted, and 12 MoUs signed, TTD’s approach offers valuable insights for academic entrepreneurs, universities and policymakers seeking to navigate the complex landscape of research commercialization while maintaining academic integrity.